FATE OF COVENT GARDEN

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1929, Page 6

FATE OF COVENT GARDEN

DAME MELBA’S APPEAL. .Lulled Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, Jan. 6. Dame Me.lbn, interviewed at her West End Mansion, which was previously the Duchess of Atholl’s famous residence, states: “I have been approached by Sir Thomas Beecham, ami many celebrities interested in music, to assist Sir Thomas Beccham’s Opera League. The first news I learned on arriving from Australia was that Covent Garden would be torn down in two years. This made me sad. I realised that something must be done, and when Sir Thomas Beecham approached me, 1 was determined to cooperate with him to save opera for Britain. I am therefore issuing an appeal throughout the Empire to help save opera. I. projios© to work heart and soul and appeal with both hands. Let us commence a new era in music. If my artistic home—Covent Garden is to he destroyed, let us build a vast Empire Opera House; asking for Government subsidisation in order- to bring Britain in line with other nations. In joining forces with Sir Thomas Beecham. T hope to realise my life’s dream of a permanent opera, which will outclass anything in the world. I especially appeal to the Dominions where warm hearted Britishers will surely be most willing to help in the first line of attack, as did their sons in wartime. I do hope the Empire will help me in this wonderful work. There may be thousands who have heard and loved mv performances. Now rally round this grand banner. T am devoting my life to this scheme. Please don’t let us lag behind others.’’ Melba’s scheme for a Paris Conservatorium has been abandoned because she is now fully occupied in co-opera-tion with Sir Thomas Beecham.